13.10.2004

LA CLIPPERS (83) AT PHOENIX (105)
Stats

While the presidential candidates were 
attempting to woo voters during a debate in Tempe, Quentin
Richardson wasted little time winning over the fans 13 miles
away at America West Arena.

Richardson had five 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead the
Phoenix Suns to a 105-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers
in the preseason opener for both teams.

After Los Angeles took a 13-6 lead on Lionel Chalmers' basket
with 6:22 left in the first quarter, the Suns responded with a
decisive 25-2 run over the next 5:24.

Richardson scored eight points during the surge, including a
3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining in the quarter to give
Phoenix a 31-15 lead.  The ex-Clipper had five rebounds, blocked
a pair of shots notched two steals in his debut with the Suns.

Joe Johnson scored eight of his 14 points during the key
outburst and Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and six rebounds in
26 minutes off the bench.

Phoenix opened its preseason schedule without free-agent
acquisition Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, while Los Angeles
played with Corey Maggette and Kerry Kittles.

Bobby Simmons led the Clippers with 15 points and had eight
rebounds.  Kaniel Dickens scored 12 points and Elton Brand and
Chris Wilcox each chipped in 11 in the loss.